Pub closes as landlord quits

The Dolphin pub in St Denys now lies empty but owner Enterprise Inns have reassured people that it will not be converted into a shop or flats.

The company is searching for a new publican to take it forward.

The pub in Osborne Road South was once a thriving community hub and had a range of events going on throughout the week.

On Friday evenings the former landlord Tim Taylor, who ran the pub with wife Lisa, used to perform magic, and during the week bands regularly came in to play live music.

People in the area have spoken of their sadness that the pub has ceased trading.

Portswood councillor Paul O’Neill said: “I am very sad to see a community pub go. These days pubs are a dwindling resource and it is another chopping away at the threads that hold communities together.

“It is desperate because a lot of people have very fond memories of places like The Dolphin, and I know the pub very well. It was a very friendly and traditional pub.”

She said: “It is very sad for the area that the Dolphin pub has shut. The pub had a really good atmosphere.”

According to Enterprise Inns’ website, potential landlords would have to pay £8,000-a-year rent under a retail partnership tenancy arrangement. The publican would also have to find ingoing funds of £11,600.

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said: “We can confirm that the Dolphin recently closed following the publican's decision to cease trading.

“We would like to reassure the local community that our aim is for the pub to resume trading at the earliest opportunity.”